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Stephen SUER Obituary
SUER, Stephen Richard
''Steve''
Steve Suer, age 57, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 8, 2010. An avid athlete, Steve enjoyed cycling, running, swimming, and was passionate about scuba diving. Steve's life was forever changed by a tragic bicycle accident in 2004. Steve's tremendous strength of character became an inspiration for many following the accident. He is loved and will be greatly missed by all those whose life he touched and cared for him these past few years. Steve was born in Ohio, raised in Bloomington, Indiana and moved to the Sacramento area about 30 years ago. He received both undergraduate and MBA degrees from Indiana University. Steve leaves behind his beloved wife of 32 years, Carolyn Suer; his three children, Justin (age 38), Jeff (age 24), and Kelly (age 21); and three grandchildren, Lindsey, Reid, and Grace. He is survived by his brother Jay (Barbara) Taylor of Indianapolis IN, brother Robert (Gail) Suer of Muncie, IN, sister Jeri Taylor (David Moessinger) of Sea Ranch, CA and sister Lynn Suer (Bruce Pavlik) of Oakland, CA. Preceded in death by both parents, Robert and Ruah Suer, and sister Amy Suer. A celebration of his life will be held at First Covenant Church, 10933 Progress Ct., Rancho Cordova, on Friday, May 14 at 11am. A reception at the church will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American River Parkway Foundation, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation or the charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Stephen SUER
Viet Vu
June 6, 2011
Dear Mrs. Suer, My name is Viet Vu. I was a medical student rotating at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center when I met you and your husband. I am terribly sorry for your loss. The experience that I had at the Valley and especially in the care of your husband inspired me so much that I changed my residency application from internal medicine to Physical Medicine and Rehab in order to care for SCI patients. I am now finishing my residency and applying for fellowship training in SCI. It's been over 6 years since I first met you and Steve, yet his story continues to inspire me and will throughout my career in rehab! Again, I am saddened to hear of his death and hope that your family is staying strong and together we can continue to discover new treatment and care for SCI patients.
July 9, 2010
Steve was the most inspirational patient I ever cared for. He touched my life forever....by helping win my heart back to a loving God. He is that person who "taught me" how to let go of the past and accept my circumstances gracefully and with gratitude. He explained that our circumstances are neither an accident nor mistake. That it transpired the way it needed to in order to work out the life lessons we needed to master. And instead of living in fear, we needed to embrace our history, with its pain, its imperfections, its mistakes and its tragedies as being divinely ordained for our own good.
I am an RN that specializes in critical care home-nursing; I was Steve's first nurse after he returned home. Last month, on Saturday May 15th, while cleaning my garage, I found a blue snow-flaked coffee cup inside the lunchbox I used to take to Steve's house. I reminded myself I needed to to stop by and return it and apologize for not answering his emails. But as it happens, life got in the way and I never made it over to the Suer home that day..... Yesterday I thought of the Suers again and did a search on FB for Carolyn and Steve, instead I found this site....I am in shock!
I met his wife and son(s) and daughter the day Steve got home from Rehab. This family was still in a state of shock but coping amazingly well with the profound loss. The living room was transformed to a hospital room. His endearing love for his wife and children was obvious--told in his eyes that lit up with joy when they were present. Carolyn would sit by Steve's bed and reach over to give him a back rub, hold his hand, suctioned his tracheae, changed and bathed and dressed him...a true servant of unconditional love, anticipating his every need selflessly. I am eternally grateful for the privilege of this job, as it became a life-changing experience for me, a symbiotic source of healing for us both on different levels. In retrospect I realize Steve was being used by God to help me find forgiveness and acceptance of my circumstances and believe I was being used to help him find purpose and peace in preaching God's love to me. Though we met as patient and nurse, I now believe with all my heart that it was a divine intervention. Though I didn't stay as long as I would have liked, I accepted my reassignment with regrets but with a heart full of lessons. One thing Steve wrote me when I was complaining was that frustration and confusion precede growth. If my situation is challenging me, it's because I'm learning something new, rising to a higher level of understanding. And that we each carry burdens of frustrations, but to be grateful that life is a progression of lessons.
Both Steve and Carolyn were unknowingly ministering to me as I was providing nursing care. I watched from the sideline how she adored him and would do anything and everything for him. She catered to her childrens needs as well; worked full-time--her ability to juggle this became an imprinted role model of courage and faith for me. I'll never forget her reaching out to each of the nurses to learn their preferences to accommodate them with special drinks, snacks, coffee, and a home-cooked dinner every night as Steve got his formula fed through a tube.
Steve didn't like what happened to him, but he had gained acceptance of it and was adaptable to his situation, always reminding me of God being in control, that he was exactly where he was supposed to be---we all needed to let go of the fear and trust God. He and his family lived life not to be endured, but to be enjoyed and embraced even during times of severe stress. He was unconditionally tolerant with others who were constantly poking and prodding, tugging and turning him every minute, every hour, every day. He recognized that others were worthy and allowed us to love and support him, Susan Criddle Price RN I.N.P.
Robert Parish
May 24, 2010
Carolyn,
I have been praying for Steve dating back to Henry Wells request at Fair Oaks Pres. Church. I never got to meet Steve how ever we did get to communicate using e mail. I had no idea had badly hurt Steve was until just resent. After several years of hoping some day to meet him I now must wait until we meet in Heaven where I know he is. God Bless you and your family and I will continue to pray for you.
God Bless,
Rob Parish
anne brennan
May 17, 2010
I never got to know steve, but the ultimate devotion of carolyn, jeff and Kelly, made me realize what an amazing person he was. Anne brennan
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May 15, 2010
May you rest in peace Steve & thank you for reminding us to appreciate each moment.
The Hussey family,
Gold River, CA
Judith Nakhnikian
May 15, 2010
Dear Carolyn, Kelly, Jeff, Justin, Silvy, family and friends, especially Charlie Beeker, I am so incredibly sad to hear of Steve's death. Steve and I were high school friends. I felt myself fortunate to have had an e-mail correspondence with him in the past few years since his bike accident, but had been caught up in the events of my own life recently, and was planning to catch up on news again soon, and now, it's too late. He was a wonderful friend in high school, and an amazing positive force in my life in the virtual friendship we resumed. He loved you all so much. I will miss him. As Steve always closed with me, Kindest Regards, from Judith Nakhnikian
Bernadette Martinez
May 14, 2010
Carolyn and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know you have many wonderful memories that will make you smile and ease your pain in the days ahead. I will never forget his competitiveness at the Eppies Races. He was a wonderful man.
Jay Greiner
May 14, 2010
Dear Carolyn, Jeff, Kelly and Family
I trust God's warm grace and firm guiding touch will comfort all of you. Words fall short of expressing the deep love and support to your family but know that each of you are in my daily prayers. In addition, the entire RAMT family is with you and supporting you always.
Jim Kirstein
May 14, 2010
Dear Carolyn and Family:
Steve was one of the best friends a person could ever have. His spirit will always inspire me. He is now free to continue to live with the freedom and happiness that he brought so many. Commute rides with Steve on the bike trail were one of the highlights of my life. Future rides will undoubtedly include memories of Steve. It was a privilege to know Steve and have a the wonderful association with your family.
Orlin Bowman
May 14, 2010
Carloyn and family,
My prayers go out to you for comfort in this your time of sorrow. I wish I could be with you today, Friday.
Dave Evans
May 14, 2010
Dear Carolyn and Family:
Steve's spirit was inspiring for me both before and after his accident, and as we agreed, he will enjoy the next life in more freedom and joy than we can possibly imagine here. Rides on the bike trail will undoubtedly include memories of Steve, as will my fond association with your family.
May 13, 2010
Carolyn,
I just heard today about Steve. Today on my walk I could almost see him driving by with his trusty dog beside him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lucille and Gert
Lisa & Mark Williams
May 13, 2010
Carolyn, we are so sorry to hear about Steve. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the kids. We admire your strength, and we are here if you need anything.
Joanne Kelley
May 13, 2010
Dear Carolyn and Family,
Please know our thought and prayer are with you at this sad time.
Kyle and Joanne Kelley
Diane McIntire
May 13, 2010
To Steve's Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. I met Steve and Carolyn briefly in 2006 while working on their kitchen remodel design. They were such nice people and a wonderful example of the human spirit and compassion.
Charles Beeker
May 12, 2010
Steve was a very special friend of mine since grade school, through high school, and college. Steve met Carol when visiting my family in Texas and they became soul mates for life. Steve was a special person and will be missed by all who knew him...
Diane Workman
May 12, 2010
Justin:
Sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my prayers.
Ginger Kurowski
May 12, 2010
Steve was one of the kindest men I have known. His accident was so incongruous as he was so cautious. I remember him often while running downtown at lunchtime. Carolyn and family: I am so sorry for your loss. However, there is no doubt, he is being welcomed with open, loving arms to a wonderful, peaceful new place where those that are greeting him are singing in delight.
May 12, 2010
To the Suer Family - I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. He was such an inspiration and role model to so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you -
Debbie Burdsall, MPH, OTR - VMC Foundation
Kyle Schild
May 12, 2010
I only knew Steve briefly through SGW and stopping to talk when on the bike trail. But, Steve, his wife, and friends were allways very nice to talk to. I will allways slow and think of steve when I near Hazel and when going through Auburn.
Kyle
Bob Harwood
May 12, 2010
I didn't know Steve. I never even met the man. But my wife, Angie, spoke of him and his family every week since I met her. She had nothing but respect and admiration for Steve and his family. She spoke of his courage, strength, and sense of humor. I am so sorry for your loss, but am comforted in the knowledge that Steve raised his children, loved his wife, Carolyn, and completed his work here. Time to move on to the next purpose.
Todd Treadway
May 12, 2010
Justin:
So sorry to hear about your father. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
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